Women Count

A society is only able to reach its full potential when women and men are fully engaged as equal partners in their families, workplaces and communities.

Around the world, women bravely embrace the rights agenda set by the Convention to End All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), an international convention adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1979. Women understand they must lead efforts to ensure women’s rights and gender equality are codified in their democratic institutions.

Despite institutional barriers and deep-seated social and cultural beliefs, women remain determined. Key to their success is their own power to lead democratic processes in decision-making roles. Equally important is meaningful engagement and support by all members of their communities, as well as the government institutions mandated to ensure equality.

Over the last 25 years, IFES has worked to ensure women and men participate equally in political processes as voters, candidates, election administrators and civil society leaders. IFES pursues gender equality by providing electoral assistance; conducting voter and political education campaigns; and encouraging civic involvement and advocacy. From Honduras to Libya, Guinea to Cambodia, and Pakistan to Côte d’Ivoire, IFES empowers women and men to lead communities together.

Based on international human rights standards and best practices, IFES promotes political participation, justice and equal rights for women and men around the world.

See Women Count, IFES' brochure on our work in women's empowerment.